OPAPRU

📸 LOOK: Officers of the World Bank Group, led by Country Director for the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei Mr. Zafer Mustafaoglu, paid a courtesy visit to Presidential Peace Adviser Secretary Mel Senen S. Sarmiento on Tuesday, June 2 at the OPAPRU Central Office.

During the meeting, Mustafaoglu reaffirmed the World Bank Group’s continued commitment to partnering with OPAPRU as the country prepares for the first Bangsamoro Parliamentary elections in September.

The World Bank Group actively supports the Bangsamoro peace process through its participating in the Mindanao Trust Fund Steering Committee, co-chaired by OPAPRU and the Bangsamoro Development Agency, as well as through the Bangsamoro Normalization Trust Fund, both of which aim to sustain peacebuilding and development in the region.

📸 LOOK: Presidential Peace Adviser Secretary MEL SENEN SARMIENTO met with Mr. Simon Bakker, Chief Executive Officer of the Kennemer Group on Tuesday, June 2 to discuss potential areas of collaboration between OPAPRU and the agribusiness organization.

The meeting focused on opportunities to strengthen partnerships in support of inclusive development, sustainable livelihoods, and peacebuilding initiatives, particularly as the Kennemer Group looks to expand its investments in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

The Kennemer Group is one of OPAPRU’s private sector partners, supporting inclusive development, sustainable livelihoods, and peacebuilding efforts in communities where its programs align with the peace agency’s post-conflict priorities.

📸 𝗟𝗢𝗢𝗞: The Independent Decommissioning Body (IDB) paid courtesy visit led by its Chairperson Turkish Ambassador Mehmet Suat Akgὕn to newly-appointed Presidential Peace Adviser Sec. MEL SENEN SARMIENTO on Tuesday, June 2.

The IDB oversees the decommissioning process, ensuring that it is carried out efficiently and with utmost impartiality and integrity. The body was created by the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the (M**F) negotiating panels as part of the Annex on Normalization of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) signed in 2014.

It is composed of representatives from the governments of Turkey, Norway, Kingdom of Brunei, as well as local experts nominated by the GPH and the M**F peace panels.

During the meeting, the IDB Chairperson emphasized that the IDB is composed of members from diverse cultural backgrounds who work collaboratively to ensure the smooth implementation of the decommissioning process. The Chairperson also highlighted that the Board has fostered a positive and productive working environment throughout its operations in the country.

Decommissioning is among the key provisions of the Annex on Normalization under its Security Component.

This process aims to help former combatants make the successful transition to mainstream society as peaceful and productive civilians, and transform their areas into progressive and resilient communities. # # #